Knitting methods and fabrics produced thereby

ABSTRACT

A method of hand knitting is disclosed which provides an evenly tensioned knitted article or fabric with even and smooth end rows and edges. The portions of the article wherein the number of stitches in a row are decreased and/or increased are produced without leaving holes and/or bumps in the article.

United States Patent [1 1 3/1942 Bisch 66/172 Knowles Sept. 2, 1975 [5 KNITTING METHODS AND FABRICS 3,603,113 9/1971 Gilchrist 66/172 PRODUCED THEREBY 3,750,427 8/1973 Gilchrist 66/172 [76] Inventor: Lena Knowles, 11721 84A Ave., OTHER PUBLICATIONS North Delta, British Columbia, Press, Man-Made Textile Encyclopedia," 1959, Tex- Canada tile Bk. PubL, N.Y., N.Y. pp. 420-421. [22] Filed: 1973 Primary Examiner-Ronald Feldbaum [21] Appl. No.: 347,135 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Christensen, OConnor,

1 Garrison & l'lavelka 52 us. Cl. 66/16 9 s 1 Int. c1. D04B 1/00 [57] ABSTRACT 53 w of Search 66/1, 9 1 7 17 1 9 A method of hand knitting is disclosed which provides 5 /172 an evenly tensioned knitted article or fabric with even 1 and smooth end rows and edges. The portions of the {56] References Ci d article wherein the number of stitches in a row are de- UNITED STATES PATENTS creased and/or increased are produced without leav- 2,031,104 2/1936 Gilpin 66/1 mg hles and/or bumps m the amcle' 7 2,276,148 22 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PATENTED SEP 1975 saw 1 0f 5 KNITTING METHODS AND FABRICS PRODUCED THEREBY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to methods of knitting and fabric or articles made therefrom, and more particularly to a method of hand knitting fabric with smooth and even edges and non-curling end rows and a fabric exhibiting an absence of holes and/or bumps when the number of stitches in a row are increased or decreased.

As those in the knitting art are aware, the cast-on and foundation rows are very difficult to hand knit without obtaining a fabric which curls or rolls about the cast-on and foundation rows. Furthermore, it is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the knitting art that when a hand knit fabric is knit utilizing conventional methods of knitting, the rows at the edges of the knit fabric exhibit bumps caused by exposed loops of yarn, These bumps are very difficult to cover up when joining edges to form a seam, and appear unsightly when exposing the edges of the fabric, as in arms or sleeves on a garment. For this reason edges are conventionally crocheted to yield even, firm, elastic edges which can be seamed by hand. The conventional method of forming seams requires pinning the edges together before joining them in an attempt to yield the most even seam possible. Furthermore, when shaping of an article necessitates increasing or decreasing the number of stitches in a row, one of ordinary skill is aware that holes or bumps are ordinarily created in the fabric. No known method of knitting can easily cure the foregoing problems.

It is also known to those of ordinary skill in the art that maintenance of proper tension on the ball end of the yarn as one is knitting the fabric is very difficult. As used herein, the ball end of the yarn is that strand of yarn which trails from the work to the supply. The absence of even tension will lead to a fabric having different sized rows even though they contain the same number of stitches and will also lead to a fabric which tends to warp or curl upon itself. No known method of hand knitting enables one to easily and efficiently properly tension the yarn as the fabric is being knit. In attempts to alleviate the tensioning problem the prior art suggests the use of different size needles for purled rows than are used for knit rows. This leads to confusion and awkwardness while still not solving the problem of intrarow tension.

As used herein the verb to work a stitch means to knit or to purl the stitch as understood by those versed in the knitting art and as used in prior references such as Gilchrist, US. Pat. No. 3,603,113.

Objects of the present invention are to provide: a method for producing a fabric having cast-on and foundation rows which do not tend to curl; a method for producing a fabric which has even seams and/or edges; a method for producing fabric which contains no holes or bumps as a result of either increasing or decreasing the number of stitches in a knit or purled row; and a method of producing cast-on, foundation and cast-off rows which do not tend to curl or roll. It is a further broad object of the present invention to provide a method of holding the yarn in the hand and of manipulating the yarn as one is knitting in order to provide proper and even tension as a fabric is being knit and which yields a fabric which will not stretch and which will hold a desired shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, therefore, provides: a method for reducing the tendency of the cast-on and foundation rows of a knitted work to curl or roll comprising casting a first row of stitches onto a holding needle to form a cast-on row and thereafter forming a foundation row by knitting the first stitch in the cast-on row through the front thereof and thereafter knitting each of the subsequent stitches in the cast-on row through the back of the stitch with the working needle; a method of forming even edges on a knitted fabric comprising slipping the first stitch of each previously knitted or purled row through the front thereof onto the working needle without knitting or purling it, knitting or purling each intermediate stitch on the holding needle with the working needle and knitting the last stitch on the holding needle through the back of the stitch; a method for increasing the number of stitches within a knitted or purled row comprising locating a first stitch from the row immediately underneath the row on the holding needle, said first stitch being the one which is looped over the next stitch normally to be knitted on the holding needle, said next stitch being an intermediate stitch on the holding needle, lifting said first stitch located in the previous step onto the holding needle through the front thereof without twisting it, and knitting the stitch from the front thereof or purling said stitch through the back thereof, and thereafter knitting or purling the next stitch; a method for decreasing the number of stitches within a knitted or purled row comprising lifting a first intermediate stitch from the back thereof off the holding needle onto the working needle,

lifting the next intermediate stitch from the front thereof off the holding needle onto the working needle, simultaneously knitting the first and next stitches from the fronts thereof on the holding needle with the working needle, leaving the newly formed stitch on the working needle, and thereafter slipping the first and next stiches from the working needle; a method for forming a last knitted row prior to the cast-off row comprising knitting all stitches from the back thereof on the holding needle with the working needle, thereafter forming a cast-off row to complete the end of the fabric; and a method for tensioning yarn during hand knitting. The fabric and articles produced by the foregoing methods are also part of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the present invention can be acquired by reading the ensuing specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the step of knitting the first stitch in the foundation row;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a step in the method of forming the remaining stitches in the foundation row;

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the steps of the method for forming even edges;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show the steps of the method for increasing the number of stitches in a row;

FIGS. 10, Ill, 12, 13 and 1-4 show the steps of the method for decreasing the number of stitches in a row;

FIGS. 115, 16 and 17 show the steps of the method for manipulating the ball end of the yarn in order to provide an evenly tensioned knit fabric;

FIG. 18 illustrates a fabric containing a cast-on course and a foundation course knitted in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates a fabric having even edges characterized by an end wale fonned in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates a fabric having the number of stitches in successive courses increased in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 21 illustrates a fabric having the number of stitches in successive courses decreased in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The method of forming the foundation row according to the present invention will first be described. The foundation row is that first knitted row which appears after or is directly connected to the initial cast-on row which is placed on the holding needle. The rows subsequent to the foundation row will be referred to as knitted rows. For purposes of the present invention, unless otherwise stated, it will be understood that a knitted row can include a purled row, if desired.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a cast-on row, i.e., the first row of stitches which is placed on the holding needle, is formed onto the holding needle in a conventional manner. The cast-on row is represented by the stitches 12 on the holding needle 10. The working needle 14 is inserted through the first stitch 12a in the cast-on row from the front of the stitch. By the front of the stitch, it is meant that the needle enters in front of that portion of the stitch nearest the knitter, and for a knitted stitch, goes under the holding needle 10 and comes out on the back side of the stitch, i.e., the side farthest from the knitter as shown in FIG. 1. The ball end 16 of the yarn, i.e., that end of the yarn running from the cast-on row to the yarn supply is then looped around the tip of the working needle 14 as shown by the arrow. The loop thus formed around the tip of the needle 14 is then brought rearwardly in the direction of arrow 18 through the loop 120 to form the first knit stitch of the foundation row on the working needle 14. The loop 12a is then slipped from the holding needle 10 in a con ventional manner. This procedure applies only to the first stitch of the foundation row in accord with the present invention.

The next stitch 12b in the cast-on row is then knit through the back as shown in FIG. 2. The working needle 14 is inserted through the back of the stitch 1212. A loop is then formed over the working needle with the ball end of the yarn 16. This loop is then pulled through stitch 12/) onto the working needle 14. Thereafter, stitch 12b is slipped from the holding needle 10. The remaining stitches 1212 of the initial cast-on row are knit from the back as was the first stitch 12b.

The last knitted row, the row immediately preceding the cast-off row, can be formed in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 2. The cast-off row is the last row of the knitted fabric produced and for purpose of the present invention is formed in a conventional manner. The last knitted row, however, is formed by entering each of the stitches, including the first stitch on the holding needle, on the last knitted row with the working needle 14 from the back of the stitch. The ball end 16 of the yarn is then looped over the working needle 14. The loop thus formed over the working needle 14 is withdrawn through the stitch on the holding needle 10 and each subsequent stitch on the holding needle is likewise knit through the rear of the stitch. Thus the entire last knitted row will be formed on the working needle 14 by knitting through the back of each of the stitches of the cast-on row.

Care should be taken to not make the new stitches too tight when forming the last knitted row by the present invention. As the skilled knitter is aware, even when using conventional methods, difficulty in forming an even cast-off row will be encountered if the stitches of the last knitted row are formed too tightly.

The method of forming even edges of fabric for joining as seams or for leaving exposed is described in conjunction with FIGS. 3 through 6. In FIG. 3, the holding needle 22 contains the cast-on row 24 (partially shown) and the foundation row, represented by stitches 26. The first stitch 26a in the foundation row is entered through the front with the working needle 28 as shown. The first stitch 26a is then slipped off the holding needle 22 without knitting and is retained on the working needle 28 as shown in FIG. 4. The ball end 30 of the yarn remains free, but is tensioned with the fingers of the hand holding the working needle as described later.

As shown in FIG. 5, the next stitch 26/7 on the holding needle 22 is then entered through the front with the working needle 28 in the conventional knitting manner. The ball end 30 of the yarn is then looped over the tip of the working needle 28 as shown by arrow 32 in a conventional manner. The loop thus formed over the tip of the working needle is then drawn rearwardly in the direction of the arrow 34 throught the stitch 26b to form the next stitch of the first knitted row on the working needle 28. Each of the subsequent intermediate stitches, that is, those stitches between the initial and final stitches originally on the holding needle, are knit in this conventional manner.

As shown in FIG. 6, the last stitch 26n is always knit through the back. This stitch is always knit through the back thereof whether the pattern or other direction calls for a purled stitch or a knit stitch, i.e., no variation from the procedure described in conjunction with FIG. 6 is required whether knitting or purling. The working needle 28 is inserted through the rear of the last stitch 2611 on the working needle 22. The ball end 30 of the yarn is then looped over the end of the working needle 28 in the direction of arrow 32 as before. The loop thus formed over the working needle 28 is drawn rearwardly in the direction of arrow 34 through the stitch 2611 to form the last stitch in the first knited row according to the present invention. Each subsequent knitted row is formed in this same manner, i.e., knitwise by slipping the first stitch of the row on the holding needle 22 and knitting the intermediate stitches through the front, while knitting the last stitch in the row on the holding needle 22 through the back. In this manner, a knit fabric with very even and smooth edges is formed. Accordingly, there will be a noticeable absence of bumps or knots in the edge of the fabric thus made in accord with the present invention. The fabric edges so fomed will be firm and elastic and will not have to be crocheted to provide a sewable or wearable edge.

In conjunction with FIGS. 7 through 9, the method of increasing the number of stitches in a row will be described. It is most preferred that increasing or decreasing not be done in the first or last stitch in any row since this will cause bumps in the edges of the fabric thereby produced. As shown in FIG. 7, several stitches 38 ap pear on the holding needle 40. Some of these have al' ready been knit forming stitches 42 of the next subsequent knitted row on the working needle 44. To increase in accord with the present invention, the next stitch 38a to be knit is selected. The tip of the working needle 44 is inserted through the outside loop, loop 36a, a stitch in the row of stitches immediately preceding the row in which stitches 38 appear. The loop 36a is lifted upwardly without twisting it while the holding needle 40 is withdrawn in the direction of arrow 46, of course being careful that none of the stitches 38 slip from the holding needle 40. The loop 36a is then placed over the end of the holding needle 40. Care should be taken that the holding needle 40 is inserted through the stitch 36a from the front thereof. The middle finger of the hand holding the working needle can conveniently be used for this purpose as discussed later. The working needle 44 is then withdrawn from the loop 36a leaving it on the holding needle 40. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9, the working needle 44 is reinserted through the front of loop 36a. The ball end of the yarn 46 is then looped over the tip of the working needle 44 in the direction of arrow 48 as if conveniently knitting. The loop thus formed over the tip of the holding needle 44 is then withdrawn through the loop 36a in the direction of arrow 48 to form the next stitch on the working needle 44. Thereafter, the stitch 38a is knitted in the conventional manner by inserting the working needle 44 through the front of stitch 38a and forming a loop over the end of the working needle 44, pulling it rearwardly through the loop 380 in a conventional knitting manner.

Thus an extra stitch 420 has been formed on the working needle 44. This procedure can be repeated as many times as desired, or as feasible, in a given knitted or purled row. The method according to the present invention of increasing the number of stitches in a row will not leave holes or bumps in the final knit fabric as occurs when utilizing the conventional increasing method.

The method for decreasing the number of stitches in a knit row will be described in conjunction with FIGS. through 14. It is preferred that the method of decreasing to be described not be performed on the first or last stitch in a row, as this will result in bumpy edges on the fabric. Decreasing is accomplished by entering a first stitch 52:: from the back with the working needle 54 as shown in FIG. 10. The stitch 5211, which is an in termediate stitch in the row 52 originally on the holding needle 50, is slipped in the direction of arrow 58 off the holding needle 50 and is retained on the working needle 54. Next the stitch 52h, the stitch originally adjacent stitch 5211 on the holding needle, is entered from the front with the working needle 54 and is slipped from the holding needle in the direction of arrow 58, as shown in FIG. II. Thus, both of the slipped stitches 52a and 52b now reside on the working needle 54 along with the previously knit stitches 56.

Thereafter, the stitches 52a and 5217 are knit from the back on the holding needle 50 with the working needle 54 as shown in FIG. 12. This is accomplished by inserting the holding needle 50 through the back of the stitches 52a and 52b above the working needle 50. Thereafter, the ball end of the yarn is formed into a loop 60 over the tip of the working needle 54. The loop 60 thus formed is withdrawn in the direction of arrow 62 through both loops 52a and 52b. The loop 60 thus resides on the working needle 54 as shown in FIG. 13. The stitches 52a and 52b are then slipped off of the holding needle as shown in FIG. 14. Thereafter, the next stitch on the holding needle 50 can be knited or purled in a conventional manner by inserting the working needle through stitch and looping the ball end of the yarn over the tip of the working needle 54 and withdrawing the next newly formed loop through stitch 520 so that it resides on the working needle 54. Thereafter, the subsequent stitches 52 can be knitted or purled in a conventional manner as desired, or can be increased or decreased in accord with the present invention. Thus, two stitches have been eliminated from the row of stitches and a new stitch will have been included therein. Thus, the row 56 has been decreased by one stitch over the row 52.

Now, in accord with the present invention, the method for holding the needles and tensioning the yarn will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, the holding needle is held in the left hand between the thumb 72 and the middle finger 75. The middle finger 75 is held against the last stitch or stitches to retain them on the holding needle 70. The middle finger is especially utilized to hold the next stitch 76 to be knit on the holding needle 70 to prevent it from slipping off the tip of the holding needle 70 as the working needle 78 is inserted. The first finger 74 is generally not needed other than to steady the holding needle 70 as stitches are being slipped therefrom.

The working needle 78 is held in the right hand so that it rests on or adjacent the arch 80 formed between the thumb 82 and the first finger 84. The working needle 78 is thus held in a manner similar to the conventional way a pencil is held. The ball end 86 of the yarn extends from the last stitch made on either the holding needle 70 or the working needle 78. It is draped over the top side of the first finger 84 and then looped behind at least one of the remaining fingers, any of the middle 85, ring 87 or little 89 fiingers. Most preferably, the yarn is draped over the first finger 84 in front or distally of the first knuckle 88 and then is draped behind the middle finger and ring finger 87 and then back in front of the little finger 89, from which it falls loosely to the ball. The yarn should not be held too tightly between the fingers, but not so loosely that it will advance too easily. In this manner, a relatively constant tension is held on the yarn. In accord with the present invention as shown in FIG. 15, the middle 85, ring 87 and little 89 fingers are relaxed as the working needle 78 is moved forwardly in the direction of arrow 90 through the next stitch 76 to be knitted on the holding needle 70. The first finger 84 is then manipulated to loop the ball end 86 of the yarn about the end of the working needle 78 in the direction of arrow 92 as shown in FIG. 16.

The loop 96 formed over the working needle 78 is then withdrawn through the loop 76 in the direction of arrow 94 as shown in FIG. 17. As the working needle is withdrawn in the direction of arrow 94, or as this motion is begun, the middle 85, and if desired the ring 87 and little 89 fingers are pressed toward the palm of the hand in the direction of arrow 98 to tighten or increase the tension on the ball end of the yarn 86, and consequently loop 86. The tension so created on the loop 96 will draw it tightly under the holding needle 70. Not only does this increase the tension on the loop 96, but

it also facilitates slipping of the loop 96 under the holding needle 70 so that the working needle78 can complete the pull of the loop 96 through the stitch 76. After the loop is drawn through the stitch 76, the latter is slipped off the holding needle. At this time the middle 85, ring 87 and little 89 fingers are again relaxed to decrease the tension on the yarn. All stitches are knit in a similar manner using the same sequence of finger manipulation shown in FIGS. through 17.

Care should be taken so that the middle 85, ring 87 and little 89 fingers are always moved backwardly and forwardly the same distance. A displacement of about an inch of the fingers is preferable. A repetitive movement will maintain the desired constant tension. The newly made stitch, using the present method, need never be tightened on the working needle 78 as in conventional methods. It is further preferable to rethread the fingers, i.e., drape the yarn in front of and behind the appropriate fingers, every nine or ten stitches. This improves the overall tension.

The method of tensioning as well as the methods of knitting have been illustrated for a right-handed knitter. Of course, the steps of the method in mirror image are applicable to a lefthanded knitter. Furthermore, with respect to the tensioning method illustrated and described in conjunction with FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, the important aspects are that the ball end of the yarn be draped over the first finger and then draped behind one or more of the middle 85, ring 87 and little 89 fingers. It is then preferably draped back in front of one of the remaining fingers which are lower on the hand than the finger behind which the ball end of the yarn is draped.

Referring now to FIG. 18, the fabric containing a cast-on course and a foundation course formed in accordance with the method described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2 is illustrated. This method forms stitches in the end wales that provide an even, noncurling end portion in a knitted fabric. As shown, the fabric includes an end course or cast-on course 1 10, a first intermediate course or foundation course 12, and end wale 112, and intermediate wales 114, 116 and 118. The foundation course 12, next adjacent the cast-on course 110, contains end loop 12a lying in end wale 112 and intermediate loops 12b in successive intermiediate wales 114, 116 and 118. The yarn ends designated 16 extend through the end loop 12a and the intermediate loops 12b in the foundation course and extend upwardly to form loops in the next adjacent intermediate course. The end portions of the loops 12b extended downwardly into the cast-on course 110. The loops 12b have been twisted or rotated approximately 180 relative to the fabric surface so that the end portions of each of the intermediate loops 12b cross over each other and pass through the stitches lying in the cast-on course and lying in the respective wales. The end portions of the loops 1212 then extend in mutually opposite directions to the next adjacent wales. For example, the intermediate loop 121; lying in wale 116 has ends which extend down to the cast-on course stitch lying in wale 116, cross over each other and extend in mutually opposite directions to the cast-on course stitches lying in wales 114 and 118. The end portions of the end stitch 12a lying in the end wale 112 do not cross over each other. The end portion of the loop 12a passing over the end portion 16 extends upwardly to the next adjacent intermediate course. The end portion of loop 12a that lies nearest the first intermediate course as it passes over end portions 16 extends downwardly through the cast-on course stitch lying in end wale 112 and extends from wale 112 to the cast-on course stitch lying in the first adjacent wale 114, without crossing over the other end portion of loop 12a. Thus, each of the loops 12/) in the foundation course 12 next adjacent the cast-on course are twisted, thereby biasing the end of the fabric so that it tends not to curl as it would if the loops 12b had not been twisted.

The next to the last course at the opposite end of a piece of fabric from the cast-on end (the cast-off end) is similarly formed so that the loops in the next to the last course are twisted approximately 180 relative to the surface of the fabric. However, the twisted loops residing in the next to the last course extend from that course into the second to the last course. The loops in the next to the last course are twisted by knitting them from the back of the loop when the loops of the last course, or cast-off course are formed.

Referring now to FIG. 19, a fabric having an end wale formed in accordance with the method described in conjunction with FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 is illustrated. An end wald of this construction will produce a fabric that does not have a tendency to curl along the sides. This fabric includes intermediate courses 20, 26 and 30, end wale 120, and intermediate wales 122 and 124. As shown, the loop 26a, originally the first loop residing in course 26, is not knit as the loops of course 30 are formed from right to left. Instead it is retained until approached from the opposite direction while knitting the loops of course 30 and forming the loops of the course above course 30. Thus loop 26a resides in course 30, next adjacent to course 26. In other words, when beginning to knit the course 26, the loop 26:: is not initially knit, but is slipped from the holding needle onto the working needle. When loop 26a is encountered as the loops in the next adjacent course 30 are knit, the loop 26:: is knit from the back thereof and becomes a part of the course 30. Thus, the end wale is formed into a series of chain-like stitches which do not have a tendency to curl and which are smooth and even.

Referring now to FIG. 20, a fabric formed according to the method described in conjunction with the illustrations of FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 is illustrated.,This fabric has the number of stitches, i.e., the number of wales, in given consecutive courses increased. The fabric contains intermediate courses 36, 38 and 42 and intermediate wales 130, 132, 134 and 136. As can be seen from the bottom of the figure to the top of the figure, the number of wales is increased by one, i.e., wale 134 is added at course 38 when forming the loops of course 42. As shown, after course 38 has been formed and when forming the loops of course 42, the loop 36a is pulled up from course 36 and is knit with the loop 42d, thus forming in course 42 the first stitch of a new wale 132.

Referring now to FIG. 21, a fabric formed in accordance with the present invention as described in conjunction with the illustrations of FIGS. 10, ll, 12, 13 and 14 is illustrated. In this fabric the number of wales in given consecutive courses is decreased. The fabric includes intermediate courses 51, 52 and 56 and intermediate wales 140, 142, 144 and 146. Course 52 includes loops 52a and 52b through which loop 56a has been knit as it extends to the next adjacent course 56. As can be seen, the interconnected end portions of loops 52a and 52b both pass under the end portions of i 2. The method of claim 1 further'comprising: 1 j knitting the first knitted row onto the foundation row it by slipping the first stitch of the foundation row off 3;The method of claim 2 further comprising:

loop 560 as they extend downwardly to the preceding adjacent course '51. The unconnected end portions of loops 52a and 52b both pass over the end portions of loop 56a before extending downwardly to course 51. This orientation-of loops 52a and 52b is created by simultaneously knitting loop. 520 through the back thereof and loop 52b through the front thereof. Thus loop 52a istwistedrelative to loop 52b and the remaining loops in course 52. [n.this manner, the number of wales is decreased by one when forming thecourse 56, i.e., wale 142 is omitted leaving wales 140,144 and 146. The resulting fabriodoes not contain holes or bumps resulting from the decrease in wales.

The present methods are not only for those of skill and accomplishment in the art, but the knowledge and techniques disclosed herein can easily be acquired with a very small amount of practice by those who have not previously attemptedknitting. The :methods and tech- .n iquesare simple, and the results are surprising.

' The present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to effect various changes and substitute equivalents without departing from the com cepts disclosed herein; For example each of the methods for increasing, decreasing and tensioning the yarn are applicable to both' purling and knitting stitches. It

is intended that the present invention be limited only by .the definition contained in the appended claims." I What is claimed is: t

. l. A method for reducing the tendency of the casting a first ro w of stitches onto a holding needle to form a cast-on row,

thereafterforming a foundation row by knitting the first stitch'of'the 'cast on row through the front thereof and knitting each of the subsequent stitches in the cast-on row through the back "with the working needle.

3 the holding needle'throu gh the'front thereof onto the working needle without working said stitch,

l thereafter'working the intermediate stitches of the foundation row, I i

. knitting the last stitch on the holding needle through the back of said last stitch.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

forming remaining knitted rows by repeating the foregoing recited steps.

6. A method for increasing the number of stitches within a. row comprising:

locating a first stitch from the row immediately underneath the row on the holding needle, said first stitch being the one which is looped over the next stitch normally to be worked on the holding needle, said next stitch being an intermediate stitch,

lifting said first stitch located in the previous step onto the holding needle through the front thereof,

' knitting said stitch from the front thereof, and

thereafter working said next stitch.

7. A method for decreasing the number of stitches within a row comprising:

1 lifting a first intermediate stitch from the back thereof off the holding needle onto the working needle,

- .lifting the next intermediate stitch from the front thereof off the holding needle onto the working needle,

simultaneously knitting said first and next stitches "from the fronts thereof on the holding needle with the working needle, leaving the newly formed stitch on the working needle,

thereafter slipping the first and next stitches from the working needle.

8. A method of forming a last knitted row prior to a cast-off row for reducing the tendency of the end rows of the Stitch q'thereafter knitting the last stitch in the foundation row through the backof said last stitch.

slipping the first stitch of each previously formedrow onto the working needle withoutworking said stitch, n thereafter working the intermediate stitches of the previously formed row, a thereafter knitting the last stitch in the previously formed row through the back of the stitch, Qforming subsequent rows by repeating the above steps. 4. A method for forming even edges on a knitted fabric comprising:

slipping the first stitch of each previously formed row off the holding needle through the front thereof onto the working needle without working said stitch, working each intermediate stitch on the holding needle with the working needle,

1 off the holding needle through thefront thereof .9.,A method for tensioning yarn during hand knitting comprising:

holding the holding needle in the holding hand, hold-- ing the working needle in the other hand so that it can rest on the arch beteen the thumb and the first finger and releasably grasply the working needle with the thumb and the middle finger so that the first finger can releasably grasp the needle and can be independently manipulated, and wrapping the ball end of the yarn from the work around the upper side of the first finger adjacent its end while placing the ball end of the yarn behind at least one of the remaining fingers sothat the yarn can be tightened around the first finger by moving such remaining finger toward the palm,

" inserting the working needle into a stitch on the holding needle to be knit with such remaining finger in a relaxed condition,

wrapping the ball end of the yarn around the end of the working needle to form a loop while leaving such remaining finger relaxed,

moving such remaining finger toward the palm to tighten the yarn over the first finger as said loop is being drawn through said stitch to be knit,

removing said stitch and said loop from the holding needle while relaxing such remaining finger,

repeating the foregoing steps allowing the desired amount of yarn from the ball to slip past said first finger each time a new stitch is knit.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said yarn is wrapped around said first finger distally of the first knuckle.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said yarn is wrapped behind said middle finger after it passes around the top of said first finger.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said ball end of yarn is wrapped behind said ring finger and around the upper side of said little finger before it.

13. A method for increasing the number of stitches within a row comprising:

locating a first stitch from the row immediately underneath the row on the holding needle, said first ,stitch being the one which is looped over the next stitch normally to be worked on the holding needle,

said next stitch being an intermediate stitch, lifting said first stitch located in the previous step onto the holding needle through the front thereof, purling said stitch through the back thereof, and thereafter working said next stitch.

14. A knitted fabric comprising an end wale, a plurality of intermediate wales, an end course, a first intermediate course next adjacent to said end course and at least a second intermediate course, each of the stitches in said first intermediate course having a loop extending into a next adjacent course, the loops in said first intermediate course being knitted from the back thereof to thereby twist each of said loops in said first intermediate course.

15. The knitted fabric of claim 14 wherein said end course is a cast-on course and wherein the loop in said end wale in said first intermediate course is knit from the front thereof.

16. A knitted fabric comprising side wales and intermediate wales, an end course, a first intermediate course next adjacent to said end course, and at least one subsequent course next adjacent to said first intermediate course, said first intermediate course having loops therein, each of said loops having end portions extending from said first intermediate course to a next adjacent course, said end portions of said loops lying in a given intermediate wale crossing over each other and extending through the stitch in said next adjacent course lying in said given intermediate wale and further extending in mutually opposite directions to respective stitches in said next adjacent course that lie in the wales on respectively opposite sides of said given intermediate wale.

17. A knitted fabric comprising a plurality of intermediate courses an an end wale, said end wale being formed by a slipped stitch in a first of said courses, said slipped stitch being knited through the back thereof in the next adjacent one of said courses.

18. The knitted fabric of claim 17 having an end wale formed by alternate slipped stitches and stitches knit through the back thereof in said intermediate courses of said end wale.

19. A knitted fabric comprising a first course and a next subsequent course, a side wale, and a next adjacent wale, a loop extending from said next adjacent wale in said first course to said wale, said loop being slipped in said first course and extending from said first course to said next subsequent course in said side wale, said loop being knit through the back thereof when forming the loops of the course next adjacent to said next subsequent course, thereby forming said side wale.

20. A knitted fabric comprising: a first course, a second course and a third course, each of said courses having loops therein, a loop from said first course being extended into said second course and being knit when forming the loops of said third course along with the loops in said second course, thereby increasing the number of loops in said third course by one relative to the number of loops in said first course.

21. A knitted fabric comprising:

a first course, a second course and a third course, each of said courses having loops therein, first and second loops extending from said first course to form a portion of said second course, said first and second loops being knit with a single loop extending through said first and second loops, said single loop extending to and forming a portion of said third course, said first and second loops having end portions extending from said second course to said first course, said single loop having end portions extending through said first and second loops, one end portion of said first loop being connected to one end portion of said second loop, said one end portion of said first loop and said one end portion of said second loop passing on the same side of said end portions of said single loop, thereby decreasing the number of stitches in said third course relative to the number of stitches in said first course.

22. A method for decreasing the number of stitches within a row comprising:

entering a first intermediate stitch on the holding needle from the back thereof with the working needle,

before knitting a stitch, entering the next adjacent intermediate stitch on the holding needle from the front thereof with the working needle,

simultaneously knitting said first and next adjacent intermediate stitches with the working needle and leaving the newly formed stitch on the working mediate stitches from the working needle. 

1. A method for reducing the tendency of the cast-on foundation rows of a knitted work to curl or roll comprising: casting a first row of stitches onto a holding needle to form a cast-on row, thereafter forming a foundation row by knitting the first stitch of the cast-on row through the front thereof and knitting each of the subsequent stitches in the cast-on row through the back of the stitch with the working needle.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: knitting the first knitted row onto the foundation row by slipping the first stitch of the foundation row off the holding needle through the front thereof onto the working needle without working said stitch, thereafter working the intermediate stitches of the foundation row, thereafter knitting the last stitch in the foundation row through the back of said last stitch.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising: slipping the first stitch of each previously formed row off the holding needle through the front thereOf onto the working needle without working said stitch, thereafter working the intermediate stitches of the previously formed row, thereafter knitting the last stitch in the previously formed row through the back of the stitch, forming subsequent rows by repeating the above steps.
 4. A method for forming even edges on a knitted fabric comprising: slipping the first stitch of each previously formed row off the holding needle through the front thereof onto the working needle without working said stitch, working each intermediate stitch on the holding needle with the working needle, knitting the last stitch on the holding needle through the back of said last stitch.
 5. The method of claim 4 further comprising: forming remaining knitted rows by repeating the foregoing recited steps.
 6. A method for increasing the number of stitches within a row comprising: locating a first stitch from the row immediately underneath the row on the holding needle, said first stitch being the one which is looped over the next stitch normally to be worked on the holding needle, said next stitch being an intermediate stitch, lifting said first stitch located in the previous step onto the holding needle through the front thereof, knitting said stitch from the front thereof, and thereafter working said next stitch.
 7. A method for decreasing the number of stitches within a row comprising: lifting a first intermediate stitch from the back thereof off the holding needle onto the working needle, lifting the next intermediate stitch from the front thereof off the holding needle onto the working needle, simultaneously knitting said first and next stitches from the fronts thereof on the holding needle with the working needle, leaving the newly formed stitch on the working needle, thereafter slipping the first and next stitches from the working needle.
 8. A method of forming a last knitted row prior to a cast-off row for reducing the tendency of the end rows of a knit fabric to roll or curl comprising: knitting all stitches from the back thereof on the holding needle with the working needle, thereafter forming a cast-off row to complete the end rows of said fabric.
 9. A method for tensioning yarn during hand knitting comprising: holding the holding needle in the holding hand, holding the working needle in the other hand so that it can rest on the arch beteen the thumb and the first finger and releasably grasply the working needle with the thumb and the middle finger so that the first finger can releasably grasp the needle and can be independently manipulated, and wrapping the ball end of the yarn from the work around the upper side of the first finger adjacent its end while placing the ball end of the yarn behind at least one of the remaining fingers so that the yarn can be tightened around the first finger by moving such remaining finger toward the palm, inserting the working needle into a stitch on the holding needle to be knit with such remaining finger in a relaxed condition, wrapping the ball end of the yarn around the end of the working needle to form a loop while leaving such remaining finger relaxed, moving such remaining finger toward the palm to tighten the yarn over the first finger as said loop is being drawn through said stitch to be knit, removing said stitch and said loop from the holding needle while relaxing such remaining finger, repeating the foregoing steps allowing the desired amount of yarn from the ball to slip past said first finger each time a new stitch is knit.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said yarn is wrapped around said first finger distally of the first knuckle.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said yarn is wrapped behind said middle finger after it passes around the top of said first finger.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said ball end of yarn is wrapped behind said ring finger and around the upper side of said litTle finger before it.
 13. A method for increasing the number of stitches within a row comprising: locating a first stitch from the row immediately underneath the row on the holding needle, said first stitch being the one which is looped over the next stitch normally to be worked on the holding needle, said next stitch being an intermediate stitch, lifting said first stitch located in the previous step onto the holding needle through the front thereof, purling said stitch through the back thereof, and thereafter working said next stitch.
 14. A knitted fabric comprising an end wale, a plurality of intermediate wales, an end course, a first intermediate course next adjacent to said end course and at least a second intermediate course, each of the stitches in said first intermediate course having a loop extending into a next adjacent course, the loops in said first intermediate course being knitted from the back thereof to thereby twist each of said loops in said first intermediate course.
 15. The knitted fabric of claim 14 wherein said end course is a cast-on course and wherein the loop in said end wale in said first intermediate course is knit from the front thereof.
 16. A knitted fabric comprising side wales and intermediate wales, an end course, a first intermediate course next adjacent to said end course, and at least one subsequent course next adjacent to said first intermediate course, said first intermediate course having loops therein, each of said loops having end portions extending from said first intermediate course to a next adjacent course, said end portions of said loops lying in a given intermediate wale crossing over each other and extending through the stitch in said next adjacent course lying in said given intermediate wale and further extending in mutually opposite directions to respective stitches in said next adjacent course that lie in the wales on respectively opposite sides of said given intermediate wale.
 17. A knitted fabric comprising a plurality of intermediate courses an an end wale, said end wale being formed by a slipped stitch in a first of said courses, said slipped stitch being knited through the back thereof in the next adjacent one of said courses.
 18. The knitted fabric of claim 17 having an end wale formed by alternate slipped stitches and stitches knit through the back thereof in said intermediate courses of said end wale.
 19. A knitted fabric comprising a first course and a next subsequent course, a side wale, and a next adjacent wale, a loop extending from said next adjacent wale in said first course to said wale, said loop being slipped in said first course and extending from said first course to said next subsequent course in said side wale, said loop being knit through the back thereof when forming the loops of the course next adjacent to said next subsequent course, thereby forming said side wale.
 20. A knitted fabric comprising: a first course, a second course and a third course, each of said courses having loops therein, a loop from said first course being extended into said second course and being knit when forming the loops of said third course along with the loops in said second course, thereby increasing the number of loops in said third course by one relative to the number of loops in said first course.
 21. A knitted fabric comprising: a first course, a second course and a third course, each of said courses having loops therein, first and second loops extending from said first course to form a portion of said second course, said first and second loops being knit with a single loop extending through said first and second loops, said single loop extending to and forming a portion of said third course, said first and second loops having end portions extending from said second course to said first course, said single loop having end portions extending through said first and second loops, one end portion of said first loop being connected to one end portion of said second lOop, said one end portion of said first loop and said one end portion of said second loop passing on the same side of said end portions of said single loop, thereby decreasing the number of stitches in said third course relative to the number of stitches in said first course.
 22. A method for decreasing the number of stitches within a row comprising: entering a first intermediate stitch on the holding needle from the back thereof with the working needle, before knitting a stitch, entering the next adjacent intermediate stitch on the holding needle from the front thereof with the working needle, simultaneously knitting said first and next adjacent intermediate stitches with the working needle and leaving the newly formed stitch on the working needle, and thereafter, slipping the first and next adjacent intermediate stitches from the working needle. 